Audi e-tron review - MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

As an electric car, how much the e-tron costs to run will depend on where and when you charge it. Despite being capable of charging via a 150kW fast-charge point, only a few such stations currently exist in the UK. It’s not yet clear whether Audi’s plan to offer easy access (using a single account/card) to 70,000 Europe-wide charge points will be available to British customers.

That means you’ll be forced to charge at a maximum of 50kW for the time being, which should top the car up to 80 per cent full in less than 90 minutes. Of course, you can recharge the car overnight using a domestic three-pin socket or a quicker home wallbox. No times have been given for this kind of charging.

It's worth noting that Audi's parent company, Volkswagen Group, has entered into a joint partnership with other manufacturers to lauch the 'Ionity' network of High-Power Chargers. Using Ionity's 350kW charge network drivers will be able to charge their EVs, where vehicle technology allows, in less than 20 minutes. Being an electric car, the e-tron is exempt from road tax (VED) and escapes the London Congestion Charge, too.                                                     

Electric range, battery life and charge time 

The Audi e-tron can’t match the Jaguar I-Pace’s 292-mile (WLTP) range but counters with super-quick 150kW charging. However, while that would allow you to add 80 per cent of the e-tron’s near-250-mile range in less than 40 minutes, the infrastructure isn’t readily available in the UK. So, like the I-Pace, you’ll be forced to charge at a slower rate, hampering the car’s feasibility for longer journeys. 

40

Further to this, our only experience – in the scorching heat of Abu Dhabi, granted – showed the range to plummet faster than Audi suggests. In just 30 minutes we did a little over 50km (31 miles) but lost over 100km (62 miles) of range. But with the air-con on full blast and a higher motorway speed limit (140kmh), this was a particularly tough test for Audi’s first EV.

You needn’t worry about battery degradation, though; Audi offers an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on all models. That matches the Jaguar I-Pace’s guarantee, and comes in addition to the e-tron’s standard three-year manufacturer warranty. There is currently no option to rent or lease the battery pack, with the cost included in the car’s list price of between £60,000-£80,000, dependent on trim level.

Insurance groups

The Audi e-tron sits in the maximum group 50 insurance. In comparison, the all-electric Jaguar I-Pace is placed in group 48, which is much higher than the equivalent petrol or diesel F-Pace. Even the range-topping F-Pace SVR is only rated at group 41.

Depreciation

Audi claims best-in-class residual values for the new e-tron. However, at 54 per cent (after three years/36,000 miles) it pretty much matches the Jaguar I-Pace pound for pound. The Audi is slightly more expensive to buy, as well. Both cars beat the Tesla Model X hands down, however.